bought new computer - where are my games and why can I not just re-install?

[nameunknown]

OK so some years ago I bought Skyrim. The computer I loaded it onto would not run it, now I have a new computer, which will. So I put the CD in and am told I need a steam account (oh no! not again, say I). I spend half a day struggling to sign up with Steam (again). When I finally get to put in the code for the game it tells me I am already registered, so installion will stop. Only problem is, SKYRIM is not on this PC. So where do I go from here? With many other old games I just put the CD in the new computer and re-installed, but STEAM seem to be making this awfully difficult without any seeming benefit for the end-user.

[HLCinSC]

You have to use the original steam account you redeemed the one time use key to.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by HLCinSC:

You have to use the original steam account you redeemed the one time use key to.

This.

Games on Steam are tied to your account. You have to log-in to the account that the game was activated on in order to download, install and (in some cases, if off-line mode is not available for that game ) play it.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Originally posted by nameunknown:

but STEAM seem to be making this awfully difficult without any seeming benefit for the end-user.

Actually they make it easier.

[ᴠᴀʀ]

+1

Also, in case you can't access your old account... Link

[nameunknown]

I am using the original account! - I used the password recovery option. I have the original CD too. The SKYRIM installation recognises the code as valid, but says it is already registered to this account when I enter the code. BUT the program does not show up in the list of games (I just get Half-life and five others)

[«Gғм» Kid Of The Century]

The account you're posting from hasn't Skyrim on it, so it can't be the original account where you activated it the first time. Simple as that.

Your Skyrim's copy is sitting in your old account, retrieve it.

[永无止境的八月]

happy